Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of Azadirachta Indica flower

The present study was carried out to evaluate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Azadirachta indica flower. The various extracts of plant material were prepared using a maceration method and phytochemical screening was carried out. Based on phytochemical screening, an in-vitro free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract were evaluated using DPPH (1, 1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and inhibition of albumin denaturation assay, respectively. Phytochemical screening of neem flowers revealed positive results for presence of flavonoids, sterols and tannins in methanol extract. However, flavonoids were not detected in the water aqueous extract. The highest percentage inhibition of DPPH activity by the methanol extract was found to be 63.69% at 300 μg/mL concentration. Whereas, the inhibition of albumin denaturation by methanol extract was found to be 93.84% at 845 μg/mL concentration. The tested extract showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which were comparable to that of the standards used. In conclusion, methanol extract of Azadirachta indica possesses potent free radical scavenging effects along with anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, flower Azadirachta indica can be a good source of active phytochemicals to be used for therapeutic purposes.